Independently procurable item compliance information

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods electronically provide information regarding digital rules related to a potential relationship instance. Users often wish to know which digital rules apply to a specified item before engaging in a relationship instance with a host entity regarding the item. The system and methods described herein allow a computing facility to identify an item and receive resource information related to the item and the digital rules applicable to the item.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to computer networks, and particularly tonetworked automated systems for producing resources based on digitalrules.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present description gives instances of computer systems, storagemedia that may store programs, and methods. Embodiments of the systemmay use a user device to generate sensed item data used to identify anitem and to retrieve and display resource information regarding apossible relationship instance (or a “potential relationship instance”)based on the identified item. By displaying resource informationregarding a possible relationship instance on a user device, a user isable to view the resource information without having to engage in thepossible relationship instance.

In addition, the user is able to identify information regarding theitem's compliance with certain digital rules, such as informationregarding which digital rules apply to the item and what effect thoserules have. In various embodiments, the system may compare the digitalrules, their effects, etc., to a list of resource use priorities definedby the user. This allows the system to inform the user about the itemand the effects of the digital rules, as well as to suggest other itemswhich may better conform to the resource use priorities. Additionally,the system allows the user to obtain data regarding the effects of thedigital rules without the relationship instance actually occurring, thusreducing the number of relationship instances which are cancelled due toeffects of the digital rules which were unknown before the relationshipinstance began. By lowering the rate of cancelled relationshipinstances, the system is able to reduce the amount of resources used toprocess and cancel ongoing relationship instances.

Therefore, the systems and methods described herein for generating itemsensed data to identify an item and retrieve and display resourceinformation regarding a possible relationship instance involving theitem improves the functioning of computer or other hardware, such as byreducing the processing, storage, and/or data transmission resourcesneeded to perform various tasks, thereby enabling the tasks to beperformed by less capable, capacious, and/or expensive hardware devices,enabling the tasks to be performed with less latency and/or preservingmore of the conserved resources for use in performing other tasks oradditional instances of the same task.

As shown above and in more detail throughout the present disclosure, thepresent disclosure provides technical improvements in computer networksto existing computerized systems to provide resources related toproposed relationship instances.

These and other features and advantages of the claimed invention willbecome more readily apparent in view of the embodiments described andillustrated in this specification, namely in this written specificationand the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving obtaining item sensed data from an item andretrieving resource information based on an item identified by using theitem sensed data, which is an improvement in automated computer systems.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for illustrating a sample method for generatingitem identity data and displaying resource information related to anitem identified by the item identity data, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving a smartphone which may be used by a user, accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving RFID components within a computing device which maybe used by a user, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving camera components within a computing device whichmay be used by a user, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving sensor components within a computing device whichmay be used by a user, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving a display generated by a computing device which maybe presented to a user, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving a display generated by a computing device which maybe presented to a user, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving glasses which may be used by a user, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of thepresent disclosure involving processing item sensed data, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of thepresent disclosure involving a computer system of host premises,according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of thepresent disclosure involving processing response data, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of thepresent disclosure involving displaying response data, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of sample aspects for describing operationalexamples and use cases of embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for illustrating a sample method for obtaininglocation data, generating item identity data, and displaying resourceinformation related to the location data and an item identified by theitem identity data, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for illustrating a sample method for obtainingresource use priorities, obtaining resource information, and comparingthe resource information to the resource use priorities, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for illustrating a sample method for obtaininglocation data, generating item identity data, and displaying resourceinformation related to the location data and an item identified by theitem identity data, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As has been mentioned, the present description is about computersystems, storage media that may store programs, and methods. Embodimentsare now described in more detail.

The description that follows includes systems, methods, techniques,instruction sequences, and computing machine program products thatembody illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. In the followingdescription, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific detailsare set forth in order to provide an understanding of variousembodiments of the inventive subject matter. It will be evident,however, that embodiments of the inventive subject matter may bepracticed without these specific details. In general, well-knownstructures and methods associated with underlying technology have notbeen shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuringdescriptions of the preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving obtaining item sensed data 112 from an item andretrieving resource information 145 based on an item 196 identified byusing the item sensed data 112, which is an improvement in automatedcomputer systems.

Included in FIG. 1 , a sample computer system 195 according toembodiments is shown. The computer system 195 has one or more processors194 and a memory 130. The memory 130 stores programs 131 and data 138.The one or more processors 194 and the memory 130 of the computer system195, thus, implement a service engine 183. Additional implementationdetails for the computer system 195 are given later in this document.

The computer system 195 can be located in “the cloud.” In fact, thecomputer system 195 may optionally be implemented as part of an onlinesoftware platform (OSP) 140. The OSP 140 can be configured to performone or more predefined services, for example via operations of theservice engine 183. Such services can be searches, determinations,computations, verifications, notifications, the transmission ofspecialized information, including data that effectuates payments, thegeneration and transmission of documents, the online accessing othersystems to effect registrations, and so on, including what is describedin this document. Such services can be provided as a Software as aService (SaaS).

A user 192 may use a system 100 which includes a computing facility 120that interfaces with a display 150, on which User Interfaces (UIs) anddisplay data 151 may be shown. Display 150 can be part of a broader UserInterface (UI) 188. The UI 188 can have actuators like buttons, etc.,and via which the system 100 can receive inputs from the user 192. Theseinputs can include user preferences 189, which can be stored in thememory 123. The user preferences 189 can be used by the user 192 toquickly select their preferred items or information to retrieve or view.

The system 100 may additionally include a sensor 110. In embodiments,the system 100 is contained within a housing 161. Additional sampleimplementation details for the computing facility 120 are given later inthis document. In some embodiments, the user 192 is within a physicalsite of the host entity, or even an agent of a host entity, althoughthat is not necessary. In embodiments, the computing facility 120 orother device of the user 192 are client devices for the computer system195. The computing facility 120 includes one or more processors 122 anda memory 123. The one or more processors 122 and the memory 123 may beused by the computing facility 120 to store and execute programs anddata for implementing the functions of the computing facility 120 orsystem 100.

The computing facility 120 may access the computer system 195 via acommunications network 191, such as the Internet. In embodiments, thecomputing facility 120 may utilize a communication module 127 forcommunicating via the communications network 191. In particular, theentities and associated systems of FIG. 1 may communicate via physicaland logical channels of the communication network 191. For example,information may be communicated as data using the Internet Protocol (IP)suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet or otherpacket-switched network, which may be included as part of thecommunication network 191. The communication network 191 may includemany different types of computer networks and communication mediaincluding those utilized by various different physical and logicalchannels of communication, now known or later developed. Non-limitingmedia and communication channel examples include one or more, or anyoperable combination of: fiber optic systems, satellite systems, cablesystems, microwave systems, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) systems,frame relay systems, digital subscriber line (DSL) systems, radiofrequency (RF) systems, telephone systems, cellular systems, otherwireless systems, and the Internet. In various embodiments thecommunication network 191 can be or include any type of network, such asa local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a widearea network (WAN), or the Internet.

Downloading or uploading may be permitted from one of these two computersystems to the other, and so on. Such accessing can be performed, forinstance, with manually uploading files, like spreadsheet files, etc.Such accessing can also be performed automatically as shown in theexample of FIG. 1 . The computing facility 120 and the computer system195 may exchange requests and responses with each other. Such can beimplemented with a number of architectures.

In one such architecture, a device remote to the service engine 183,such as computing facility 120, may have a certain application (notshown) and a connector (not shown) that is a plugin that sits on top ofthat certain application. The connector may be able to fetch from theremote device the details required for the service desired from the OSP140, form an object or initial data 133, and then send or push a request132 that carries the initial data 133 to the service engine 183 via aservice call. The service engine 183 may receive the request 132 withthe initial data 133. The service engine 183 may then apply digitalrules to the initial data 133 to determine resource information 145 andform a response data 135 containing the resource information 145, andthen push, send, or otherwise cause to be transmitted a response 141that carries the response data 135 to the connector. The connector readsthe response 141, and forwards the response data 135 to the certainapplication.

In an alternative such architecture, a device remote to the serviceengine 183, such as computing facility 120, may have a particularapplication (not shown). In addition, the computer system 195 implementsa REST (Representational State Transfer) API (Application ProgrammingInterface) (not shown). REST or RESTful API design is designed to takeadvantage of existing protocols. While REST can be used over nearly anyprotocol, it usually takes advantage of HTTP (Hyper Text TransferProtocol) when used for Web APIs. This alternative architecture enablesthe system 100 to directly consume a REST API from their particularapplication, without using a connector. The particular application ofthe remote device may be able to fetch internally from the remote devicethe details required for the service desired from the OSP 140, and thussend or push the request 132 to the REST API. In turn, the REST APItalks in the background to the service engine 183. Again, the serviceengine 183 generates the response data 135, and sends an aspect of itback to the REST API. In turn, the REST API sends the response 141 thathas the response data 135 to the particular application.

In some instances, the user 192 or the system 100 may have possiblerelationship instances 198 involving an item 196. Only one such item 196is shown. In this example, the system 100 has a possible relationshipinstance 198 involving the item 196.

In some instances, the item 196 is within the line of sight 175 of thesystem 100, or a sensor 110 used by the system 100. The sensor 110 maysense the item 196, as indicated by the arrow 176. The sensor 110 maythen produce sensed data 112, which is provided to the computingfacility 120. In various embodiments, the sensor 110 includes one ormore of an RFID reader, a camera, an optical sensor, a machine readablecode sensor, etc. In embodiments, the housing 161 includes a trigger,switch, button, etc., which may be used to activate the sensor 110.

The sensed data 112 may be used by the computing facility 120 to produceitem identity data 125, such as by generating an image of an item 196;interpret a machine readable code of an item 196, such as a UniversalProduct Code (UPC), Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN), anInternational Article Number, also known as European Article Number orEAN that is a standard describing a barcode symbology and numberingsystem used in global trade to identify a specific retail product type,etc.; identify a base value of the item 196; etc., which may be furtherused to generate the item identity data 125. In embodiments, the senseddata 112 may be used to obtain a base value of an item 196. Inembodiments, the item identity data 125 may be used to obtain a basevalue of an item 196. The base value of the item 196 may be obtained bylooking up the base value of the item in a list of base values, whichmay be obtained from the computing facility 120, the OSP 140, a systemof host premises, etc.

In some instances, the user 192 or the system 100 may have data aboutone or more secondary entities, for example, via relationship instanceswith them. The system 100 and/or the secondary entities may be referredto as simply entities. One of these entities may have one or moreattributes. Such an attribute of such an entity may be any one of itsname, type of entity, a physical or geographical location such as anaddress, a contact information element, an affiliation, acharacterization of another entity, a characterization by anotherentity, an association or relationship with another entity (general orspecific instances), an asset of the entity, a declaration by or onbehalf of the entity, and so on.

In some embodiments, one or more requests may be received by thecomputer system 195 via a network. In this example, a request 132 isreceived by the computer system 195 via the network 191. The request 132has been transmitted by the remote computing facility 120. The receivedone or more requests can carry payloads. In this example, the request132 carries initial data 133. In such embodiments, the one or morepayloads may be parsed by the computer system 195 to extract data, suchas item identity data 125. In this example, the initial data 133 can beparsed by the computer system 195 to extract the item identity data 125.In this example, the single initial data 133 encodes the entire itemidentity data 125, but that is not required. In fact, a dataset can bereceived from the payloads of multiple requests. In such cases, a singlepayload may encode only a portion of the dataset. And, of course, thepayload of a single request may encode multiple datasets. Additionalcomputers may be involved with the network 191, some beyond the controlof the user 192 or OSP 140, and some within such control.

The item identity data 125 has values that can be numerical,alphanumeric, Boolean, and so on, as needed for what the valuescharacterize. For example, an identity value ID may indicate an identityof the item 196, so as to differentiate it from other such items.

In embodiments, stored digital rules may be accessed by the computersystem 195. These rules are digital in that they are implemented for useby software. The stored digital rules are further described in relationto FIG. 14 .

In embodiments, the computing facility 120 may include a LearningFunctionality 128. The Learning Functionality 128 may be implemented ina number of ways, for example by artificial intelligence (A.I.), bymachine learning (ML), and so on. Accordingly, the LearningFunctionality 128 may be used by the computing facility to generate theitem identity data 125 from the item sensed data 112.

The computing facility 120 may process the resource information 145 togenerate display data 151 that is displayed by using the display 150.The display data 151 may include an aspect 158, which may includeinformation related to the item 196, an image of the item 196, theobtained resource information 145, etc. In embodiments, the aspect 158includes an image of the item 196 with the resource information 145superimposed on the image. In embodiments, the display 150 is used toprovide augmented reality where the aspect 158 is superimposed over theitem 196. Such superimposing may be, for instance, a preferred viewing,according to the user preferences 189. The system may retrieve storeduser preferences 189, and superimpose accordingly.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for illustrating a sample method for generatingitem identity data and displaying resource information related to anitem identified by the item identity data, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

Although, in the present example, the operations and methods describedwith reference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 15-17 aredescribed as being performed by the system 100, in various embodiments,one or more of the operations and methods described with reference tothe flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 15-17 may be performed by theOSP 140.

The method 200 starts at 205.

At 210, the system 100 captures item sensed data 112 for an item 196related to a possible relationship instance 198 between a user 192 and ahost entity from a sensor 110.

At 215, the system 100 generates item identity data 125 for the item 196based on the item sensed data 112.

At 220, the system 100 derives initial data 133 from the item identitydata 125 and transmits a request 132 to an OSP 140 which contains theinitial data.

At 225, the system 100 receives a response 141 from the OSP 140 whichincludes resource information 145 related to the item 196 and thepossible relationship instance 198.

At 230, the system 100 displays data derived from the resourceinformation 145 by using the display 150.

The method ends at 235.

The system 100 described with respect to FIG. 1 may be used to sense anitem capable of being a part of a potential relationship instance, andto generate item sensed data from the item. The system 100 may generateitem identity data that identifies the item from the item sensed data.The system 100 may derive initial data, at least in part, from the itemidentity data and transmit the item initial data across a network withina request. The system 100 may receive, across the network and inresponse to the request, a response based on the initial data whichincludes resource information about the potential relationship instance.In response to receiving the resource information, the system 100 mayderive display data from the resource information, and display thedisplay data and indicate an aspect of the potential relationshipinstance.

In embodiments, the system 100 is a personal computing device configuredto be carried by the person. The system 100 may be a smartphone, atablet, a personal computing device, and so on.

In embodiments, the system 100 includes a housing 161. The display 151may be attached to the housing 161. The sensor 110 may be attached tothe housing 161.

In embodiments, the system 100 includes a trigger. A user 192 maymanually actuate the trigger. The actuation of the trigger may cause thesensor to generate the item sensed data 112.

In embodiments, the sensor 110 is a part of an RFID reader. The senseddata 112 may be RFID data. In some embodiments, the sensor 110 is a partof a machine readable-optical code scanner. The sensed data 112 may bemachine-readable-optical code data. In some embodiments, the sensor 110is a part of a camera. The sensed data 112 may be image data.

In embodiments, the display data 151 includes an image of at least aportion of the item 196 that is made from the image data. In someembodiments, the image data does not include a machine readable-opticalcode. The item identity data 125 may be generated, at least in part, byusing a Learning Functionality, such as the Learning Functionality 128described above, to identify the item 196 based on the image data.

In embodiments, the aspect 158 may be superimposed on the image of atleast a portion of the item 196. The superimposition may be performedvia augmented reality.

In embodiments, the system 100 includes a pair of glasses configured tobe worn by the user 192. The display 150 may be a heads-up displaydisplayed on the glasses.

In embodiments, the item identity data is generated via identifying aproduct code within the generated item sensed data 112.

In embodiments, the initial data 133 includes the item identity data125.

In embodiments, the sensor 110 is caused to generate the item senseddata 112.

In embodiments, the system 100 obtains information regarding an entityoffering the item. The initial data 133 may include the informationregarding the entity offering the item.

In embodiments, the system 100 obtains location data. The location datamay be associated with one or more of: the system 100, the item 196, andan entity having the item. The location data may identify a currentgeographic location associated with one or more of: the system 100, theitem 196, and the entity having the item. The system may include thelocation data in the initial data 133. The resource information may beproduced based on digital rules obtained from a digital rules databasequeried by using item query data and the location data, where the itemquery data is produced by an item query database based on the itemidentity data.

In embodiments, the resource information is produced by applying digitalrules to the possible relationship instance 198 based on the itemidentity data 125 and location data. The location data may indicate acurrent location of the system. The resource information may include apercentage rate.

In embodiments, the resource information includes data describing aresource amount to be remitted to a domain as a result of the possiblerelationship instance 198, the resource amount being associated with thepotential relationship instance involving the item. In embodiments, theresource information 145 includes data describing how at least a portionof the resource amount is to be used by the domain.

In embodiments, the system 100 obtains input identifying one or moreresource use priorities. The system 100 may determine whether a resourceamount is to be used for at least one of the resource use prioritiesbased on the data describing how at least a portion of the resourceamount is to be used by the domain. The system 100 may display that theresource amount is to be used for at least one of the resource usepriorities on the display 150 based on a determination that at least aportion of the resource amount is to be used for at least one of the oneor more resource use priorities.

In embodiments, the system 100 identifies a second item which isdetermined to be similar to the item 196 based on the item identity data125. The system 100 may display additional resource informationassociated with another potential relationship instance involving thesecond item. The additional resource information may include anotherresource amount associated with the other potential relationshipinstance. The system 100 may determine whether the other resource amountis less than, greater than, equal to, etc., the resource amount of theitem 196. The system 100 may use the display 150 to display that thesecond resource amount is less than, equal to, greater than, etc., theresource amount of the item 196.

In embodiments, the item identity data 125 is generated via identifyinga product code within the generated item sensed data 112. The system 100may look up, from the product code, a base value. The request 132 mayinclude the base value.

In embodiments, system 100 stores a list of product codes and basevalues. The system 100 may access another computing device, computingsystem, etc., to obtain at least a portion of the list of product codesand base values. The base value of the item 196 may be looked up fromthe list.

In embodiments, the system 100 communicates, along a communication link,the product code to a system of host premises. The system 100 mayreceive the base value of the item 196 as a response from the system ofhost premises.

In embodiments, the system 100 generates an image of at least a portionof the item 196 based on the item sensed data 112. The item identitydata 125 may be generated based on identifying the item in the image.The item in the image may be identified by using one or more of: objectrecognition performed by image processing of the image, reading an itemidentification code present in the image, recognizing text in the imageindicating a name or brand of the item, recognizing a trademark in theimage, etc. The image may be an image of a screen displaying an image ofat least a portion of the item.

In embodiments, the system 100 may obtain information describing aresource amount exemption certificate related to the item 196. Theinformation describing the resource exemption certificate may beobtained based on at least one of the system of claim QAS8, in which theoperations further include: the item identity data, the resourceinformation, information regarding a potential recipient of the item,and information regarding an entity offering the item, etc. The system100 may display information describing the resource exemptioncertificate on the display 150.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving a smartphone which may be used by a user, accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure.

The smart phone 300 depicted in FIG. 3 is an example of a system thatmay implement all or a portion of the system 100. During operation, thesmart phone 300 may perform all or a portion of the operations performedby the system 100. The smart phone 300 includes a display 350 and ahousing 361. The display 350 may display an aspect 358 which includesresource information 145 related to the item 196. The aspect 358 may besuperimposed over another image, such as an image of an item 196.Additionally, the smart phone 300 may use augmented-reality to displaythe aspect 358.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving RFID components within a computing device which maybe used by a user, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The RFID reader 401 includes an antenna 411 and generates RFID data 412.The RFID reader 401 may be implemented as part of the sensor 110. Theantenna 411 may sense an RFID tag 422 which indicates an item 496 asindicated by the sensing signal 476. The RFID tag 422 may be locatedwithin, on, nearby, or in a different area than, the item 496. The item496 may be related to a possible relationship instance 498 between theuser 192 and an entity, such as a host entity. The data obtained as aresult of sensing the RFID tag 422 is then used to generate the RFIDdata 412 by the RFID reader 401. The system 100 uses the RFID data 412as item sensed data 112 to produce item identity data 125.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving camera components within a computing device whichmay be used by a user, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The barcode scanner 501 includes a camera 511 and generates barcode data512. The camera 511 may be any sensor used to read barcodes or othermachine readable codes. The barcode reader 501 may be implemented aspart of the sensor 110. The camera 511 may read a barcode 522 whichindicates an item 596 as indicated by the arrow 576. The barcode 522 maybe located within, on, nearby, or in a different area than, the item596. The item 596 may be related to a possible relationship instance 598between the user 192 and an entity, such as a host entity. The dataobtained as a result of reading the barcode 522 by the camera 511 may beused by the barcode scanner 501 to generate barcode data 512. The system100 uses the barcode data 512 as item sensed data 112 to produce itemidentity data 125.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving sensor components within a computing device whichmay be used by a user, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The system 600 includes a housing 661, a sensor 610, and a trigger 655.When the trigger 655 is activated the system 600 activates the sensor610. The trigger 655 may be any type of trigger, button, lever, etc.,used to obtain an indication that an action should be taken.Additionally, the trigger 655 may be electromechanical, mechanical,digital, and so on. In embodiments, the system 600 may obtain a voicecommand which can be used as an indication for the system 600 toactivate the sensor 610, thus acting as the trigger 655. In embodiments,multiple actions are taken to activate the trigger 655, such asactivating multiple triggers, obtaining user input along with activationof a trigger, and so on. When the sensor 610 is activated it may detectan item 696, as indicated by the arrow 676. The item 696 may be relatedto a possible relationship instance 698 between the user 192 and anentity, such as a host entity.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving a display generated by a computing device which maybe presented to a user, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The display 750 includes display data 751 and an aspect 758. The display750 obtains information related to the aspect 758 and display data 751used to present the aspect 758 and display data 751 to a user 192. Theaspect 758 may include information related to an item 796 as indicatedby the double arrow 777. The item 796 may be related to a possiblerelationship instance 798 between a user 192 and an entity, such as ahost entity.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving a display generated by a computing device which maybe presented to a user, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The display 850 includes display data 851 and an aspect 858. The display850 superimposes the aspect 858 over the display data 851. For example,the display data 851 may include an image, or a portion of an image, ofan item, such as item 896. The aspect 858 may include informationrelated to an item 896 as indicated by the double arrow 877. The item896 may be related to a possible relationship instance 898 between auser 192 and an entity, such as a host entity.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure involving glasses which may be used by a user, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

The user 192 may wear, or operate, glasses 909, which may include acamera 910. The glasses 909 may implement one or more aspects of thesystem 100. Additionally, the glasses 909 may include a display, such asa heads-up display, which may be used to display the display data 151and aspect 158. Furthermore, the glasses 909 may superimpose the aspect158 on the display data 151.

The camera 910 may be used to generate display data 151 as well as todetect an item 996. The item 996 may be used to generate the aspect 158as indicated by the double arrow 977. Furthermore, the aspect 158 mayinclude information related to the item 996. The item 996 may be relatedto a possible relationship instance 998 between the user 192 and anentity, such as a host entity.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of thepresent disclosure involving processing item sensed data, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

The item sensed data 1012 may include a product code 1077. The productcode 1077 may then be used by the system 100 to generate item identitydata 1025. In embodiments, the system 100 may communicate with othersystems to generate item identity data 1025 based on the product code1077. For example, in a case where the product code 1077 is a UPC code,the system 100 may use the product code to identify the item by lookingup item data for an item registered to that UPC code. The system 100 maycommunicate with a system of host premises to look up the item databased on the UPC code. In another example, where the product code 1077is an ASIN code, the system 100 may communicate with a system hosting atleast a portion of Amazon's product catalog to determine which productcorresponds to the product code 1077. The system 100 may communicatewith other systems via a network to obtain a base value of the itembased on the product code 1077.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of thepresent disclosure involving a computer system of host premises,according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

An entity premises 1160 represents the premises of a host entity, withwhich a user 1192 may enter into a possible relationship instance 1198related to an item 1196. The entity premises 1160 may also include acomputer system of host premises 1193. The computer system of hostpremises 1193 may include location data 1178, which indicates a locationof the entity premises 1160. In embodiments, the computer system of hostpremises 1193 includes base value data 1161. The base value data 1161includes data related to the base value of the various items which maybe part of a possible relationship instance 1198.

The user 1192 may use a system 100 to obtain resource informationrelated to the possible relationship instance 1198. As depicted in FIG.11 , the system 100 may be within the line of sight 1175 of the item1196. The system 100 may sense the item 1196, as seen by the arrow 1176.The sensed data obtained by the system 100 may include a product code1177, which may be attached to, near, representing, etc., the item. Inembodiments, the system 100 may additionally communicate with thecomputer system of host premises 1193 to obtain a location data 1178, asindicated by the communication link 1133. The system 100 mayadditionally communicate with the computer system of host premises 1193to obtain base value data 1161 for the item 1196, as indicated by thecommunication link 1133. The system 100 may then use the sensed itemdata to generate item identity data. In embodiments, the system 100 usesone or more of the item identity data, location data 1178, and the basevalue data 1161 to obtain resource information 145 related to thepossible relationship instance 1198.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of thepresent disclosure involving processing response data, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

The response data 1235 includes a resource amount 1236 and resourceamount usage data 1237. The system 100 may utilize the resource amount1236 and resource amount usage data 1237 to generate resourceinformation 1245. In embodiments, the resource amount usage data 1237may be used to compare how a domain uses a resource amount 1236 toresource use priorities which may be specified by a user. The system 100may display the resource information 1245 to a user 192.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing sample aspects of embodiments of thepresent disclosure involving displaying response data, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

The display data 1351 includes resource information 1345, which can beused to identify one or more resource uses, such as the resource use 11337A and resource use 2 1337B. The system 100 may use the display data1351 to display the resource information to a user 192 by using adisplay 150. The resource uses 1337A and 1337B may be used to display toa user whether their resource use priorities are met by the possiblerelationship instances. The display data 1351 may include an image, or aportion of an image of an item, which the resource information 1345 maybe superimposed on top of.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of sample aspects for describing an online softwareplatform (OSP) 1440 which receives initial data and uses the initialdata to generate resource information for an item related to a possiblerelationship instance. It will be recognized that aspects of FIG. 14have similarities with aspects of FIG. 1 . Portions of such aspects maybe implemented as described for analogous aspects of FIG. 1 .

The computing device 1420 and its illustrated components operate in asimilar manner to the computing facility 120 of FIG. 1 . The A.I. 1428may operate as was described for the Learning Functionality 128 of FIG.1 . The initial data 1433 and response data 1435 are used in a similarmanner to the initial data 133 and response data 135 of FIG. 1 . The OSP1440 and its illustrated components operate in a similar manner to theOSP 140.

The OSP 1440 receives the initial data 1433 and extracts item identitydata from the initial data 1433. In embodiments, the OSP 1440additionally extracts other data related to the item from the initialdata 1433, such as base value data, location data, etc. The OSP 1440uses the extracted data to obtain item digital rules 1437 from adatabase of digital rules 1470, which are used to obtain the resourceinformation, such as a resource amount remitted to a domain, one or moreresource use priorities, etc. The OSP 1440 may package the item digitalrules 1437 in the response data 1435 to be transmitted to the computingdevice 1420. The computing device 1420 processes the response data 1435to obtain resource information 1445. The resource information 1445 isdisplayed by using the display 1450.

In embodiments, stored digital rules 1470 may be accessed by thecomputer system 1495. These rules 1470 are digital in that they areimplemented for use by software. For example, these rules 1470 may beimplemented within programs 1431 and data 1438. The data portion ofthese rules 1470 may alternately be implemented in memories in otherplaces, which can be accessed via the network 191. These rules 1470 maybe accessed responsive to receiving a dataset, such as the item querydata 1436.

The digital rules 1470 may include main rules, which can thus beaccessed by the computer system 1495. In this example, three sampledigital main rules are shown explicitly, namely M_RULE5 1475, M_RULE61476, and M_RULE7 1477. In this example, the digital rules 1470 alsoinclude digital precedence rules P_RULE2 1472 and P_RULE3 1473, whichcan thus be further accessed by the computer system 1495. The digitalrules 1470 may include additional rules and types of rules, as suggestedby the vertical dot-dot-dots.

In embodiments, a certain one of the digital main rules may beidentified from among the accessed stored rules by the computer system1495. In particular, values of the item query data 1436 can be testedagainst logical conditions of the digital main rules, as described laterin this document, to obtain the item digital rules 1437.

In embodiments, at least some of the digital main rules includerespective conditions and respective consequents associated with therespective conditions, respectively. And, for a certain digital mainrule, if its certain condition P is met, then its certain consequent Qis what happens or becomes applied. Of course, one or more of thedigital rules 1470 may have more than one conditions P that both must bemet, and so on. And some of these digital rules 1470 may be searchedfor, and grouped, according first to one of the conditions, and then theother.

In embodiments, therefore, identifying is performed by recognizing, bythe computer system 1495, that a certain condition of a certain one ofthe accessed digital main rules is met by one or more of the values ofthe dataset.

A number of examples are possible for how to recognize that a certaincondition of a certain digital rule is met by at least one of the valuesof the dataset. For instance, the certain condition could define aboundary of a region that is within a space. The region could begeometric, and be within a larger space. The region could be geographic,within the space of a city, a state, a country, a continent or theearth. The boundary of the region could be defined in terms of numbersaccording to a coordinate system within the space. In the example ofgeography, the boundary could be defined in terms of groups of longitudeand latitude coordinates. In such embodiments, the certain conditioncould be met responsive to the characterized attribute of the datasetbeing in the space and within the boundary of the region instead ofoutside the boundary. For instance, the attribute could be a location ofthe entity, and the one or more values of the item query data 1436 thatcharacterize the location could be one or more numbers or an address, orlongitude and latitude. The condition can be met depending on how theone or more values compare with the boundary. For example, thecomparison may reveal that the location is in the region instead ofoutside the region. The comparison can be made by rendering thecharacterized attribute in units comparable to those of the boundary.For example, the characterized attribute could be an address that isrendered into longitude and latitude coordinates, and so on.

The above embodiments are only examples, and not limiting.

Where more than one of the digital main rules are found that could beapplied, there are additional possibilities. For instance, the computersystem 1495 of FIG. 14 may further access at least one stored digitalprecedence rule, such as P_RULE2 1472 or P_RULE3 1473. Accordingly, thecertain digital main rule may be thus identified also from the digitalprecedence rule. In particular, the digital precedence rule may decidewhich one or more of the digital main rules is to be applied. Tocontinue the previous example, if a value of the item query data 1436characterizes a location, and the location is within multipleoverlapping regions according to multiple rules, the digital precedencerule may decide that all of them are to be applied, or less than all ofthem are to be applied. Equivalent embodiments are also possible, wheredigital precedence rules are applied first to limit the iterativesearch, so as to test the applicability of fewer than all the rules.

The item digital rules 1437 obtained as a result of applying the digitalrules 1470 to the item query data 1436 may include information which islater interpreted by the computing device 1420 as resource information1445. For instance, the item digital rules 1437 may include: a resourceamount to be remitted if a relationship instance including the itemoccurs, one or more resource use priorities, data related to a domainwhich related to the possible relationship instance, a resource value ofthe item, etc.

The computer system 1495 is similar to the computer system 195 of FIG. 1. The computer system 1495 includes one or more processors 1494, memory1430, and a service engine 1483. The one or processors 1494 are similarto the one or more processors 194. The memory 1430 is similar to thememory 130. The service engine 11483 is similar to the service engine183. The service engine 1483 may be used to access, store, apply, etc.,the digital rules 1470.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for illustrating a sample method for obtaininglocation data, generating item identity data, and displaying resourceinformation related to the location data and an item identified by theitem identity data, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The method 1500 starts at 1505.

At 1510, the system 100 captures item sensed data 112 for an item 196related to a possible relationship instance 198 between a user 192 and ahost entity from a sensor 110.

At 1515, the system 100 generates item identity data 125 for the item196 based on the item sensed data 112.

At 1520, the system 100 obtains location data representing a currentgeographic location of one or more of: the system 100, the item 196, ahost entity offering the item 196, etc.

At 1525, the system 100 derives initial data 133 from the item identitydata 125 and the location data and transmits a request 132 to an OSP 140which contains the initial data.

At 1530, the OSP 140 obtains digital rules 1470 related to the possiblerelationship instance 198 based on the item identity data 125 and thelocation data. The OSP 140 may utilize the digital rules 1470 togenerate a response 141.

At 1535, the system 100 receives the response 141 generated based on thedigital rules from the OSP 140 which includes resource information 145related to the item 196 and the possible relationship instance 198.

At 1540, the system 100 displays data derived from the resourceinformation 145 by using the display 150.

The method ends at 1545.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for illustrating a sample method for obtainingresource use priorities, obtaining resource information, and comparingthe resource information to the resource use priorities, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

The method 1600 starts at 1605.

At 1610, the system 100 obtains user input indicating one or moreresource use priorities.

At 1615, the system 100 captures item sensed data 112 for an item 196related to a possible relationship instance 198 between a user 192 and ahost entity from a sensor 110.

At 1620, the system 100 generates item identity data 125 for the item196 based on the item sensed data 112.

At 1625, the system 100 derives initial data 133 from the item identitydata 125 and transmits a request 132 to an OSP 140 which contains theinitial data.

At 1630, the OSP 140 obtains digital rules 1470 related to the possiblerelationship instance 198 based on the item identity data 125 and theresource use priorities. The OSP 140 may utilize the digital rules 1470to generate a response 141.

At 1635, the system 100 receives the response 141 generated based on thedigital rules from the OSP 140 which includes resource information 145related to the item 196 and the possible relationship instance 198. Theresponse 141 may additionally include data related to the resource usepriorities, such as data indicating how a domain utilizes a resourceamount obtained from the possible relationship instance.

At 1640, the system 100 displays data derived from the resourceinformation 145 by using the display 150.

The method ends at 1645.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for illustrating a sample method for obtaininglocation data, generating item identity data, and displaying resourceinformation related to the location data and an item identified by theitem identity data, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The method 1700 starts at 1705.

At 1710, the system 100 captures item sensed data 112 for an item 196related to a possible relationship instance 198 between a user 192 and ahost entity from a sensor 110.

At 1715, the system 100 generates item identity data 125 for the item196 based on the item sensed data 112.

At 1720, the system 100 derives initial data 133 from the item identitydata 125 and transmits a request 132 to an OSP 140 which contains theinitial data.

At 1725, the OSP 140 obtains digital rules 1470 related to the possiblerelationship instance 198 based on the item identity data 125.

At 1730, the OSP 140 identifies another item similar to the item basedon the item identity data 125. The OSP obtains second item identity datafor the other item.

At 1735, the OSP 140 obtains second digital rules related to thepossible relationship instance 198 based on the second item identitydata 125.

At 1740, the OSP 140 identifies a resource amount associated with thedigital rules 1470 and a second resource amount associated with thesecond digital rules.

At 1745, the system 100 receives the response 141, generated based onthe digital rules and the second digital rules, from the OSP 140 whichincludes resource information 145 related to the item 196 and thepossible relationship instance 198. The response 141 may also includesecond resource information related to the other item. The response 141may also include the resource amount and the second resource amount.

At 1750, the system 100 displays data derived from the resourceinformation 145 by using the display 150. The system 100 mayadditionally display a determination of whether the resource amount isless than the second resource amount.

The method ends at 1755.

Operational Examples—Use Cases

The above-mentioned embodiments have one or more uses. Aspects presentedbelow may be implemented as was described above for similar aspects.(Some, but not all of these aspects have even similar referencenumerals.)

Operational examples and sample use cases are possible where theattribute of an entity in a dataset is any one of the entity's name,type of entity, a physical location such as an address, a contactinformation element, an affiliation, a characterization of anotherentity, a characterization by another entity, an association orrelationship with another entity (general or specific instances), anasset of the entity, a declaration by or on behalf of the entity, and soon. Different resources may be produced in such instances, and so on.

The computer system 195 may be used to help customers, such as a hostentity, with tax compliance. Further in this example, the computersystem 195 is part of an OSP 140 that is implemented as a Software as aService (SaaS) provider, for being accessed by the user 192 online.Alternately, the functionality of the computer system 195 may beprovided locally to a user.

The user 192 may be standalone. The user 192 may use a computingfacility 120 that interfaces with a display 150 and a sensor 110. Inembodiments, the user 192 encounters an item 196 within a host premises.The host premises can be a business, such as a seller of items, areseller, a buyer, and so on. In such instances, the user 192 can be acustomer, an employee, a contractor, or an agent of the host entity. Inuse cases the host entity is a seller, the user 192 is a customer, andtogether they are engaging in a possible relationship instance 198, suchas a possible buy-sell transaction. The possible buy-sell transactionmay involve an operation, such as an exchange of data to form anagreement. This operation can be performed in person, or over thenetwork 191, etc. In such cases the host entity can even be an onlineseller, but that is not necessary.

In a number of instances, the host entity uses software applications tomanage their business activities, such as sales, resource management,production, inventory management, delivery, billing, and so on. The hostentity may further use accounting applications to manage purchaseorders, sales invoices, refunds, payroll, accounts payable, accountsreceivable, and so on. Such software applications, and more, may be usedlocally by the host entity, such as at a computer system of hostpremises 1193, or from an online software platform (OSP) 140 that hasbeen engaged for this purpose by the host entity. In such use cases, theOSP 140 can be a Mobile Payments system, a Point Of Sale (POS) system,an Accounting application, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)provider, an e-commerce provider, an electronic marketplace, a CustomerRelationship Management (CRM) system, and so on.

Businesses have tax obligations to various tax authorities of respectivetax jurisdictions. A first challenge is in making the relateddeterminations. Tax-related determinations, made for the ultimatepurpose of tax compliance, are challenging because the underlyingstatutes and tax rules and guidance issued by the tax authorities arevery complex. There are various types of tax, such as sales tax, usetax, excise tax, value-added tax, and issues about cross-border taxationincluding customs and duties, and many more. Some types of tax areindustry specific. Each type of tax has its own set of rules.Additionally, statutes, tax rules, and rates change often, and new taxrules are continuously added. Compliance becomes further complicatedwhen a taxing authority offers a temporary tax holiday, during whichcertain taxes are waived.

Tax jurisdictions are defined mainly by geography. Businesses have taxobligations to various tax authorities within the respective taxjurisdictions. There are various tax authorities, such as that of agroup of countries, of a single country, of a state, of a county, of amunicipality, of a city, of a local district such as a local transitdistrict and so on. So, for example, when a business sells items intransactions that can be taxed by a tax authority, the business may havethe tax obligations to the tax authority. These obligations includerequiring the business to: a) register itself with the tax authority'staxing agency, b) set up internal processes for collecting sales tax inaccordance with the sales tax rules of the tax authority, c) maintainrecords of the sales transactions and of the collected sales tax in theevent of a subsequent audit by the taxing agency, d) periodicallyprepare a form (“tax return”) that includes an accurate determination ofthe amount of the money owed to the tax authority as sales tax becauseof the sales transactions, e) file the tax return with the tax authorityby a deadline determined by the tax authority, and f) pay (“remit”) thatamount of money to the tax authority. In such cases, the filing andpayment frequency and deadlines are determined by the tax authority.

A challenge for businesses is that the above-mentioned softwareapplications generally cannot provide tax information that is accurateenough for the businesses to be tax compliant with all the relevant taxauthorities. The lack of accuracy may manifest itself as errors in theamounts determined to be owed as taxes to the various tax authorities,and it is plain not good to have such errors. For example, businessesthat sell products and services have risks whether they over-estimate orunder-estimate the sales tax due from a sale transaction. On the onehand, if a seller over-estimates the sales tax due, then the sellercollects more sales tax from the buyers than was due. Of course, theseller may not keep this surplus sales tax, but instead must pay it tothe tax authorities—if they cannot refund it to the buyers. If a buyerlater learns that they paid unnecessarily more sales tax than was due,the seller risks at least harm to their reputation. Sometimes the buyerwill have the option to ask the state for a refund of the excess tax bysending an explanation and the receipt, but that is often not done as itis too cumbersome. On the other hand, if a seller under-estimates thesales tax due, then the seller collects less sales tax from the buyers,and therefore pays less sales tax to the authorities than was actuallydue. That is an underpayment of sales tax that will likely be discoveredlater, if the tax authority audits the seller. Then the seller will berequired to pay the difference, plus fines and/or late fees, becauseignorance of the law is not an excuse. Further, one should note thatsales taxes are considered trust-fund taxes, meaning that the managementof a company can be held personally liable for the unpaid sales tax.

For sales in particular, making correct determinations for sales and usetax is even more difficult. There are a number of factors thatcontribute to its complexity.

First, some state and local tax authorities have origin-based tax rules,while others have destination-based tax rules. Accordingly, a sales taxmay be charged from the seller's location or from the buyer's location.

Second, the various tax authorities assess different, i.e., non-uniform,percentage rates of the sales price as sales tax, for the purchase andsale of items that involve their various tax jurisdictions. These taxjurisdictions include various states, counties, cities, municipalities,special taxing jurisdictions, and so on. In fact, there are over 10,000different tax jurisdictions in the US, with many partially overlapping.

Third, in some instances no sales tax is due at all because of the typeof item sold. For example, in 2018 selling cowboy boots was exempt fromsales tax in Texas, but not in New York. This non-uniformity gives riseto numerous individual taxability rules related to various products andservices across different tax jurisdictions.

Fourth, in some instances no sales tax is due at all because of who theindividual buyer is. For example, certain entities are exempt frompaying sales tax on their purchases, so long as they properly create andsign an exemption certificate and give it to the seller for eachpurchase made. Entities that are entitled to such exemptions may includewholesalers, resellers, non-profit charities, educational institutions,etc. Of course, who can be exempt is not exactly the same in each taxjurisdiction. And, even when an entity is entitled to be exempt,different tax jurisdictions may have different requirements for thecertificate of exemption to be issued and/or remain valid.

Fifth, it can be hard to determine which tax authorities a seller owessales tax to. A seller may start with tax jurisdictions that it has aphysical presence in, such as a main office, a distribution center orwarehouse, an employee working remotely, and so on. Such ties with a taxjurisdiction establish the so-called physical nexus. However, a taxauthority such as a state or even a city may set its own nexus rules forwhen a business is considered to be “engaged in business” with it, andtherefore that business is subject to registration and collection ofsales taxes. These nexus rules may include different types of nexus,such as affiliate nexus, click-through nexus, cookie nexus, economicnexus with thresholds, and so on. For instance, due to economic nexus, aremote seller may owe sales tax for sales made in the jurisdiction thatare a) above a set threshold volume, and/or b) above a set thresholdnumber of sales transactions.

Lastly, even where a seller might not have reached any of the thresholdsfor economic nexus, a number of states are promulgating marketplacefacilitator laws that sometimes use such thresholds. According to suchlaws, intermediaries that are characterized as marketplace facilitatorsper laws of the state have an obligation, instead of the seller, tocollect sales tax on behalf of their sellers, and remit it to the state.The situation becomes even more complex when a seller sells directly toa state, and also via such an intermediary.

To help with such complex determinations, the computer system 195 may bespecialized for tax compliance. The computer system 195 may have one ormore processors and memory, for example as was described for thecomputer system 195 of FIG. 1 . In this example, the computer system 195thus implements a tax engine to make the determinations of taxobligations. The tax engine can be as described for the service engine183.

The computer system 195 may further store locally entity data, i.e.,data of user 192 and/or a host entity, either of which/whom may be acustomer, and/or a seller or a buyer in a sales transaction. The entitydata may include profile data of the customer, and transaction data fromwhich a determination of a tax obligation is desired. In the onlineimplementation of FIG. 1 , the OSP 140 has a database for storing thehost entity data and/or user data. This data may be inputted by the user192, or host entity, and/or caused to be downloaded or uploading by theuser 192, or host entity, from the computing facility 120 or from thecomputer system of host premises 1193, or extracted from the computingfacility 120 or from the computer system of host premises 1193, and soon. In other implementations, a simpler memory configuration may sufficefor storing the entity and/or user data.

The OSP 140 may access digital rules 1470, which may be digital taxrules, for use by the service engine 183, which may be a tax engine. Aspart of managing the digital tax rules and tax engine, there may becontinuous updates of the digital tax rules, by inputs gleaned from aset of different tax authorities. Updating may be performed by humans,or by computers, and so on. As mentioned above, the number of thedifferent tax authorities in the set may be very large.

For a specific determination of a tax obligation, the computer system195 may receive one or more datasets comprising initial data 133. Inthis example, the computing facility 120 transmits a request 132 thatincludes initial data 133, which is received by the computer system 195parsing the received initial data 133. In this example, the initial data133 encodes all of the item identity data 125, but that is not required,as mentioned earlier and other communicated data.

In this example, the initial data 133 has been received because it isdesired to determine any tax obligations, tax usage information, andother tax data arising from the possible buy-sell transaction. As such,the sample initial data 133 has values that characterize attributes ofthe possible buy-sell transaction, as well as item identity data 125.The initial data 133 also has data indicating: the name of the hostentity, the user, etc.; location data, such as an address, place(s) ofbusiness, prior nexus determinations with various tax jurisdictions, andso on; item identity information; relevant data of the user 192, such asresource use preferences, location data, exemption statuses, etc.; abase value of the item 196, such as a base price of the item; a date ofthe possible buy-sell transaction 198; etc. The system 100 may use oneor more of a variety of methods to obtain the base price, or “salesprice,” of the item, such as: reading the base price from the item or anearby price tag; via user input; by recognizing a code, such as a UPC,ASIN, etc.; and checking a list of items and base values which may belocated on the system 100, located on a computer system of the entityselling the item, located on a third party computer system, located onthe OSP 140, and so on. In such embodiments, the digital rules may beused to produce one or more resources from the base value; the one ormore resources may correspond to sales tax, other taxes and assessments,indicating which jurisdictions are funded, and so on.

A UPC is a Universal Product Code which is printed on product packagingto aid in identifying the item. The code consists of two parts—amachine-readable barcode, which is a series of unique black bars, andthe unique 12 digit number beneath it. An ASIN is an Amazon StandardIdentification Number, which is a unique identifier of 10 letters and/ornumbers for a product that is assigned by amazon.com. The ASIN is usedfor product-identification within Amazon's product catalog. For books,the ASIN is the same as the ISBN number (an International Standard BookNumber), which can be 10 or 13 digits. An ISBN is calculated using aspecific mathematical formula, and utilizes a check digit to validatethe number.

The digital rules 1470 may be digital tax rules which have been createdso as to accommodate tax rules that the set of different tax authoritiespromulgate within the boundaries of their tax jurisdictions. In suchembodiments, the five digital rules shown in FIG. 14 , namely P_RULE21472, P_RULE3 1473, M_RULE5 1475, M_RULE6 1476 and M_RULE7 1477, mayeach be digital tax rules. Similarly with FIG. 14 , some of thesedigital tax rules may be digital main rules that determine the taxinformation specific to the item, such as the item digital rules 1437,while others can be digital precedence rules that determine which of thedigital main rules is to be applied in the event of conflict. In someuse cases, digital main rules may be about determining a sales tax oruse tax being owed due to the possible buy-sell transaction at a certainpercentage of the purchase price. Digital precedence rules may bedigital tax rules that determine whether digital tax rules are to beapplied for origin-based or destination-based jurisdictions, how tooverride for diverse taxability of individual items, for temporary taxholidays, for exemptions from having to pay sales tax based on who thebuyer is, and also based on nexus, and so on.

Similarly with FIG. 14 , these digital tax rules can be implemented ororganized in different ways. In some use cases they can be organizedwith conditions and consequents, such as was described earlier in thisdocument. Such conditions may relate to geographical boundaries,effective dates, and so on, for determining where and when a digital taxrule is to be applied. These conditions may be expressed as logicalconditions with ranges, dates, other data, and so on. Values of theinitial data can be iteratively tested against these logical conditions.In such cases, the consequents may indicate one or more tax obligations,such as to indicate different types of taxes that are due, rules, rates,exemption requirements, reporting requirements, remittance requirements,etc.

For example, a certain digital tax rule M_RULE6 may be identified andused. Identifying may be performed responsive to the values of the itemquery data 1436, which are considered for digital tax rules. Forexample, it can be recognized that a condition of the digital tax ruleM_RULE6 is met by one or more of the values of the item query data 1436.For instance, it can be further determined that, at the time of thesale, the user 192 is located within the boundaries of a taxjurisdiction, that the host entity has nexus with that tax jurisdiction,and that there is no tax holiday.

As such, the computer system 1495 may produce the item digital rules1437 which would apply to the possible buy-sell transaction, and includethe item digital rules in a response, such as the response data 1435 ofFIG. 14 . The item digital rules 1437 can be produced by the computersystem 1495 applying the certain digital tax rule M_RULE6. In thisexample, the consequent of the identified certain digital tax ruleM_RULE6 may specify that a sales tax is due, the amount is to bedetermined by a multiplication of the sale price of the item by aspecific rate, the tax return form that needs to be prepared and filed,a date by which it needs to be filed, the portion of the tax revenuespent by the domain on certain uses, and so on.

The computer system 1495 may then cause response data 1435 to betransmitted. The response data 1435 can include the item digital rules1437, or information describing the item digital rules 1437. In thisexample, the response data 1435 is caused to be transmitted by thecomputer system 1495 as an answer to the received initial data 1433. Theresponse data 1435 can be about an aspect of the item digital rules1437. In particular, the response data 1435 may inform about the aspectof the item digital rules 1437, namely that it has been determined,where it can be found, what it is, at least a portion or a statistic ofits content, how the tax amount obtained by the domain is used, the taxamount obtained by the domain, and so on.

The response data 1435 can be transmitted to the computing device 1420from which the initial data 1433 was received. The computing device 1420may convert the response data 1435 to resource information 1445, whichis converted into display data 1451 and the aspect 1458, and displayedby using the display 1450. The aspect 1458 may appear on the display1450, such as within a Graphical User Interface (GUI), by utilizingaugmented reality, and so on. In this example a single response data1435 encodes the entire item digital rules 1437, but that is notrequired, similarly with what is written above about encoding the itemidentity data 1425 within the initial data 1433. Of course, along withthe item digital rules 1437, it is advantageous to embed in the responsedata 1435 information regarding the item 196 and possible buy-sellrelationship. This will help the recipient correlate the response data1435 to the initial data 1433, and therefore match the received resourceinformation 1445 as the answer to the received item identity data 1425.

For such use cases, additional information obtained by embodiments mayinclude: tax information for what one's shopping for doing thefollowing: Product identified by the user through the augmented realitysystem can be identified as being exempt or not exempt; non-taxableitems could be highlighted or suggested; products related to what theuser is viewing could be suggested in the event a tax holiday provides acheaper alternative; other products could be suggested or highlighted,or even verified that a specific held exemption certificate could beapplied. If the viewed product is shown taxed, the system could show inthe augmented reality interface what the percentage tax rate is, theamount of the tax, and the total cost with tax. The system could furthershow what jurisdictions receive the tax and what key categories arefunded by the tax such as school districts, local governments,infrastructure improvements, etc. As such, a customer may selectspecifics funding categories they are most interested in. This data canbe further used to suggest alternative product selections that betterfit their funding categories. This provides a consumer way to makechoices based on public funding priorities.

In the methods described above, each operation can be performed as anaffirmative act or operation of doing, or causing to happen, what iswritten that can take place. Such doing or causing to happen can be bythe whole system or device, or just one or more components of it. Itwill be recognized that the methods and the operations may beimplemented in a number of ways, including using systems, devices andimplementations described above. In addition, the order of operations isnot constrained to what is shown, and different orders may be possibleaccording to different embodiments. Examples of such alternate orderingsmay include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered,incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or othervariant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Moreover, incertain embodiments, new operations may be added, or individualoperations may be modified or deleted. The added operations can be, forexample, from what is mentioned while primarily describing a differentsystem, apparatus, device or method.

A person skilled in the art will be able to practice the presentinvention in view of this description, which is to be taken as a whole.Details have been included to provide a thorough understanding. In otherinstances, well-known aspects have not been described, in order to notobscure unnecessarily this description.

Some technologies or techniques described in this document may be known.Even then, however, it does not necessarily follow that it is known toapply such technologies or techniques as described in this document, orfor the purposes described in this document.

This description includes one or more examples, but this fact does notlimit how the invention may be practiced. Indeed, examples, instances,versions or embodiments of the invention may be practiced according towhat is described, or yet differently, and also in conjunction withother present or future technologies. Other such embodiments includecombinations and sub-combinations of features described herein,including for example, embodiments that are equivalent to the following:providing or applying a feature in a different order than in a describedembodiment; extracting an individual feature from one embodiment andinserting such feature into another embodiment; removing one or morefeatures from an embodiment; or both removing a feature from anembodiment and adding a feature extracted from another embodiment, whileproviding the features incorporated in such combinations andsub-combinations.

A number of embodiments are possible, each including variouscombinations of elements. When one or more of the appendeddrawings—which are part of this specification—are taken together, theymay present some embodiments with their elements in a manner so compactthat these embodiments can be surveyed quickly. This is true even ifthese elements are described individually extensively in this text, andthese elements are only optional in other embodiments.

In general, the present disclosure reflects preferred embodiments of theinvention. The attentive reader will note, however, that some aspects ofthe disclosed embodiments extend beyond the scope of the claims. To therespect that the disclosed embodiments indeed extend beyond the scope ofthe claims, the disclosed embodiments are to be considered supplementarybackground information and do not constitute definitions of the claimedinvention.

In this document, the phrases “constructed to”, “adapted to” and/or“configured to” denote one or more actual states of construction,adaptation and/or configuration that is fundamentally tied to physicalcharacteristics of the element or feature preceding these phrases and,as such, reach well beyond merely describing an intended use. Any suchelements or features can be implemented in a number of ways, as will beapparent to a person skilled in the art after reviewing the presentdisclosure, beyond any examples shown in this document.

Parent patent applications: Any and all parent, grandparent,great-grandparent, etc., patent applications, whether mentioned in thisdocument or in an Application Data Sheet (“ADS”) of this patentapplication, are hereby incorporated by reference herein as originallydisclosed, including any priority claims made in those applications andany material incorporated by reference, to the extent such subjectmatter is not inconsistent herewith.

Reference numerals: In this description a single reference numeral maybe used consistently to denote a single item, aspect, component, orprocess. Moreover, a further effort may have been made in thepreparation of this description to use similar though not identicalreference numerals to denote other versions or embodiments of an item,aspect, component or process that are identical or at least similar orrelated. Where made, such a further effort was not required, but wasnevertheless made gratuitously so as to accelerate comprehension by thereader. Even where made in this document, such a further effort mightnot have been made completely consistently for all of the versions orembodiments that are made possible by this description. Accordingly, thedescription controls in defining an item, aspect, component or process,rather than its reference numeral. Any similarity in reference numeralsmay be used to infer a similarity in the text, but not to confuseaspects where the text or other context indicates otherwise.

The claims of this document define certain combinations andsub-combinations of elements, features and acts or operations, which areregarded as novel and non-obvious. The claims also include elements,features and acts or operations that are equivalent to what isexplicitly mentioned. Additional claims for other such combinations andsub-combinations may be presented in this or a related document. Theseclaims are intended to encompass within their scope all changes andmodifications that are within the true spirit and scope of the subjectmatter described herein. The terms used herein, including in the claims,are generally intended as “open” terms. For example, the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” etc. If aspecific number is ascribed to a claim recitation, this number is aminimum but not a maximum unless stated otherwise. For example, where aclaim recites “a” component or “an” item, it means that the claim canhave one or more of this component or this item.

In construing the claims of this document, 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) is invokedby the inventor(s) only when the words “means for” or “steps for” areexpressly used in the claims. Accordingly, if these words are not usedin a claim, then that claim is not intended to be construed by theinventor(s) in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

1.-30. (canceled)
 31. A method in a user device, the method including:obtaining, from a sensor of the user device, item sensed data from anitem that is tangible, physical, and capable of being an object of apotential relationship instance; generating, from the item sensed data,by the user device, item identity data that identifies the item;transmitting across a network, by the user device, a request withinitial data, the initial data derived at least in part from the itemidentity data; receiving across the network, by the user device, and inresponse to the request, a response based on the initial data, theresponse including resource information about the potential relationshipinstance; and in response to the receiving the resource information,displaying, by the user device, on a display of the user device, displaydata derived from the resource information and indicating an aspect ofthe potential relationship instance.
 32. The method of claim 31, inwhich: the user device is a personal computing device configured to becarried by a person.
 33. The method of claim 31, in which: the sensorand the display are attached to a housing of the user device.
 34. Themethod of claim 31, further including: receiving, by the user device, anindication that a trigger attached to the user device was manuallyactuated; and causing, by the user device, the sensor to generate theitem sensed data.
 35. The method of claim 31, in which: the user deviceis a smartphone.
 36. The method of claim 31, in which: the sensor is apart of an RFID reader; and the item sensed data is RFID data.
 37. Themethod of claim 31, in which: the sensor is a part of a machinereadable-optical code scanner; and the item sensed data is machinereadable-optical code data.
 38. The method of claim 31, in which: thesensor is a part of a camera; and the item sensed data is image data.39. The method of claim 38, further including: obtaining, by the userdevice, an image of at least a portion of the item; and including, bythe user device, the image in the display data.
 40. The method of claim39, further including: detecting, by the user device, that the imagedata does not include a machine readable-optical code; and generating,by the user device, the item identity data by using a LearningFunctionality of the user device to identify the item based on the imagedata.
 41. The method of claim 39, further including: superimposing, bythe user device, the indicated aspect of the resource information on theimage of at least a portion of the physical item.
 42. The method ofclaim 41, in which: the superimposition is performed via augmentedreality.
 43. The method of claim 31, in which: the user device is a pairof glasses configured to be worn by a person; and the display is aheads-up display based on the glasses.
 44. The method of claim 31,further including: generating, by the user device, the item identitydata via identifying a product code within the generated item senseddata.
 45. The method of claim 31, further including: including, by theuser device, the item identity data in the initial data.
 46. The methodof claim 31, further including: causing, by the user device, the sensorto generate the item sensed data.
 47. The method of claim 31, furtherincluding: obtaining, by the user device, information regarding anentity offering the item; and including, by the user device, theinformation regarding the entity offering the item within the initialdata.
 48. The method of claim 31, further including: obtaining, by theuser device, location data associated with one or more of: the system,the item, and an entity having the item, in which the location dataidentifies a current geographic location associated with one or more of:the system, the item, and the entity having the item; including, by theuser device, the location data within the initial data; and obtaining,by the user device, resource information that is produced based on itemdigital rules obtained from a digital rules database queried by usingitem query data and the location data, the item query data beingproduced by an item query database based on the item identity data. 49.The method of claim 48, in which: the resource information is producedby applying the item digital rules to the potential relationshipinstance based on the item identity data and the location data.
 50. Themethod of claim 49, in which: the location data indicates a currentlocation of the user device.
 51. The method of claim 31, in which: theresource information includes a percentage tax rate.
 52. The method ofclaim 31, in which: the resource information includes data describing aresource amount to be remitted to a domain as a result of the potentialrelationship instance, the resource amount being associated with thepotential relationship instance involving the item.
 53. The method ofclaim 52, further including: generating, by the user device, the itemidentity data via identifying a product code within the generated itemsensed data; looking up, by the user device, from the product code, abase value; and including, by the user device, the base value in therequest.
 54. The method of claim 53, further including: looking up, bythe user device, the base value from a list of product codes and basevalues stored on the user device.
 55. The method of claim 53, furtherincluding: communicating, by the user device, along a communicationlink, the product code to a system of a host premises; and receiving, bythe user device, the base value, via the communication link in response.56. The method of claim 52, in which: the resource information furtherincludes data describing how at least a portion of the resource amountis to be used by the domain.
 57. The method of claim 56, furtherincluding: obtaining, by the user device, input identifying one or moreresource use priorities; in response to obtaining the input identifying,by the user device, the one or more resource use priorities, determiningwhether the resource amount is to be used for at least one of the one ormore resource use priorities based on the data describing how at least aportion of the resource amount is to be used by the domain; anddisplaying, by the user device, on the display that the resource amountis to be used for at least one of the one or more resource usepriorities based on a determination that at least a portion of theresource amount is to be used for at least one of the one or moreresource use priorities.
 58. The method of claim 52, further including:identifying, by the user device, a second item which is determined to besimilar to the item based on the item identity data; in response toidentifying the second item, displaying, by the user device, secondresource information associated with a second potential relationshipinstance involving the second item, the second resource informationincluding a second resource amount associated with the second potentialrelationship instance involving the second item; determining, by theuser device, whether the second resource amount is less than theresource amount; and displaying, by the user device, on the display thatthe second resource amount for the second item is less than the resourceamount for the item based on a determination that the second resourceamount is less than the resource amount.
 59. The method of claim 31, inwhich generating the item identity data includes: generating, by theuser device, an image of at least a portion of the item based on theitem sensed data, and in which the item identity data is generated basedon identifying the item in the image based on one or more of: objectrecognition performed by image processing of the image; reading an itemidentification code present in the image; recognizing text in the imageindicating a name or brand of the item; and recognizing a trademark inthe image.
 60. The method of claim 59, in which: the image is an imageof a screen displaying an image of at least a portion of the item.
 61. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed byat least one processor, cause a system to perform operations including:obtaining, from a sensor of the system, item sensed data from an itemthat is tangible, physical, and capable of being an object of apotential relationship instance; generating, from the item sensed data,item identity data that identifies the item; transmitting across anetwork a request with initial data, the initial data derived at leastin part from the item identity data; receiving across the network and inresponse to the request, a response based on the initial data, theresponse including resource information about the potential relationshipinstance; and in response to the receiving the resource information,displaying on a display of the system, display data derived from theresource information and indicating an aspect of the potentialrelationship instance.
 62. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 61, in which: the system is a personal computing deviceconfigured to be carried by a person.
 63. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 61, in which: the sensor andthe display are attached to a housing of the system.
 64. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, furtherincluding: receiving an indication that a trigger attached to the systemwas manually actuated; and causing the sensor to generate the itemsensed data.
 65. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 61, in which: the system is a smartphone.
 66. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 61, in which: the sensor is apart of an RFID reader; and the item sensed data is RFID data.
 67. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, in which:the sensor is a part of a machine readable-optical code scanner; and theitem sensed data is machine readable-optical code data.
 68. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, in which:the sensor is a part of a camera; and the item sensed data is imagedata.
 69. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim68, further including: obtaining an image of at least a portion of theitem; and including the image in the display data.
 70. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 69, furtherincluding: detecting that the image data does not include a machinereadable-optical code; and generating the item identity data by using aLearning Functionality of the system to identify the item based on theimage data.
 71. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 69, further including: superimposing the indicated aspect of theresource information on the image of at least a portion of the physicalitem.
 72. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim71, in which: the superimposition is performed via augmented reality.73. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, inwhich: the system includes a pair of glasses configured to be worn by aperson; and the display is a heads-up display based on the glasses. 74.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, furtherincluding: generating the item identity data via identifying a productcode within the generated item sensed data.
 75. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 61, further including:including the item identity data in the initial data.
 76. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, furtherincluding: causing the sensor to generate the item sensed data.
 77. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, furtherincluding: obtaining information regarding an entity offering the item;and including the information regarding the entity offering the itemwithin the initial data.
 78. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 61, further including: obtaining location dataassociated with one or more of: the system, the item, and an entityhaving the item, in which the location data identifies a currentgeographic location associated with one or more of: the system, theitem, and the entity having the item; including the location data withinthe initial data; and obtaining resource information that is producedbased on item digital rules obtained from a digital rules databasequeried by using item query data and the location data, the item querydata being produced by an item query database based on the item identitydata.
 79. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim78, in which: the resource information is produced by applying the itemdigital rules to the potential relationship instance based on the itemidentity data and the location data.
 80. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 79, in which: the locationdata indicates a current location of the system.
 81. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 61, in which: the resourceinformation includes a percentage tax rate.
 82. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 61, in which: the resourceinformation includes data describing a resource amount to be remitted toa domain as a result of the potential relationship instance, theresource amount being associated with the potential relationshipinstance involving the item.
 83. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 82, further including: generating the itemidentity data via identifying a product code within the generated itemsensed data; looking up from the product code, a base value; andincluding the base value in the request.
 84. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 83, further including: lookingup the base value from a list of product codes and base values stored onthe system.
 85. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 83, further including: communicating along a communication link,the product code to a system of a host premises; and receiving the basevalue, via the communication link in response.
 86. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 82, in which: the resourceinformation further includes data describing how at least a portion ofthe resource amount is to be used by the domain.
 87. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 86, further including:obtaining input identifying one or more resource use priorities; inresponse to obtaining the input identifying the one or more resource usepriorities, determining whether the resource amount is to be used for atleast one of the one or more resource use priorities based on the datadescribing how at least a portion of the resource amount is to be usedby the domain; and displaying on the display that the resource amount isto be used for at least one of the one or more resource use prioritiesbased on a determination that at least a portion of the resource amountis to be used for at least one of the one or more resource usepriorities.
 88. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 82, further including: identifying a second item which isdetermined to be similar to the item based on the item identity data; inresponse to identifying the second item, displaying second resourceinformation associated with a second potential relationship instanceinvolving the second item, the second resource information including asecond resource amount associated with the second potential relationshipinstance involving the second item; determining whether the secondresource amount is less than the resource amount; and displaying on thedisplay that the second resource amount for the second item is less thanthe resource amount for the item based on a determination that thesecond resource amount is less than the resource amount.
 89. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 81, in whichgenerating the item identity data includes: generating an image of atleast a portion of the item based on the item sensed data, and in whichthe item identity data is generated based on identifying the item in theimage based on one or more of: object recognition performed by imageprocessing of the image; reading an item identification code present inthe image; recognizing text in the image indicating a name or brand ofthe item; and recognizing a trademark in the image.
 90. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 89, in which:the image is an image of a screen displaying an image of at least aportion of the item.